Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 October 2011
132 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if and when consideration is likely to be given to reform of the administrative structures of the local authorities, with particular reference to more democratic and open procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30677/11]
View answer133 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if and when it is expected that the local authority administrative structures will become more open to the views of the public as expressed by pubic representatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30678/11]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 133 together.
Responsibility for performance of local authority functions is shared between the elected members, as public representatives, and the manager. However, the majority of the major decisions are reserved as the exclusive prerogative of the elected members who also enjoy various powers which enable them generally to oversee and direct the activities of local authorities and ultimately to direct a manager as to the manner in which an executive function is to be exercised in any particular case. The manager is also subject to statutory requirements regarding the provision of information to the elected members in relation to business of the authority.
Authorities are required under the Local Government Act 2001 (Section 237A) Regulations 2003 to put in place arrangements to provide, inter alia, for the supply of specified documentation to Oireachtas members. They are also required to deal with requests for access to information by a parliamentary representative as expeditiously as possible and in accordance with a proper level of customer service. In this regard, local authorities are obliged to put in place arrangements to ensure that systems, procedures and time frames equivalent to those used by them in relation to correspondence from local authority members also apply in respect of parliamentary representatives.
I refer also to the reply to Questions Nos. 15 and 19 on today's order paper, which indicates the significant progress being made in relation to the reform and development of local government in accordance with the Programme for Government. This programme of work involves an emphasis on early implementation of individual components of the reform agenda which can be advanced in the short and medium term, while building progressively towards overall sectoral reform and development.
Initial decisions have concentrated on local government structural arrangements at city and county level, which is a key element of the local government system. Building on the decisions made to date and work underway, I intend to bring more comprehensive policy proposals to Government shortly in relation to local government structures generally at regional, county, and sub-county levels. In this context I will also indicate further aspects of the local government system on which policy proposals will be brought to Government, including such matters as local authority powers, governance, civic leadership and community engagement.
